Suspension member



Nav.. 14, 1944. E. M. ARMSTRONG, JR., ET AL 2,362,523

SUSPENSION MEMBER Filed oct. 2. 1942 Patented Nov. 14, 1944 aseasmza SHSINSION Galifornia Claims.

This invention relates to a suspension member for flasks, and particularly for flasks used in dispensing measured quantities of intravenous solutions.

Intravenous solutions are usually dispensed from a flask provided along its side with a calibrated scale so that a predetermined volume of the solution 4may be administered. To obtain a correct reading on the scale, the ask must of course be suspended in a vertical position.

The object of this invention is the provision of a simply constructed suspension member which can be quickly attached to the base of a ask and which normally lies entirely in the plane of the base of the flask.

The invention possesses other advantageous features some of which with the foregoing will be set forth at length in the following description where that form of the invention which has been selected for illustration in the drawing accompanying and forming a part of the present specification is outlined in full. In said drawing,

one form of the invention is shown, but it is to be understood that it is not limited to such form, since the invention as set forth in the claims may be embodied in a plurality of forms.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a suspension member embodying the objects of my invention, shown with its hook bent up in its operative position.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of a ask, to the base of which is detachably secured the suspension member shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a partial vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an upright side elevation of the ask shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Figure 5 is a View similar to that shown in Figure 3, but with the hook of the suspension member bent up to its operative position.

As shown in these various gures, the objects of my invention are embodied in a suspension member comprising a generally circular metal plate I I, from one-side of which has been stamped out a hook I2. The foot I3 of the hook should be located at the center of the plate so that any flask suspended by the hook will hang in a true vertical position. Since the hook I2 normally lies in the plane of the plate II as shown in Figures 2, 3,

and 4, and must be bent through 90 toits operative vertical position as shown in Figures 1 and 5, the plate should be made of a ductile metal.

Formed on the periphery of the plate II is a pair of diametrically opposed ears I4 and I5, each base I9 of the flask is formed with a circular recess 2I for the accommodation of the plate II and with lateral channels 22 and 23 for receiving respectively the ears I4 and I 5. Although to facilitate shipment, the bases of flasks are made square as shown in the drawing, this feature is not essential to the 4present invention, for it is only necessary that the base of the flask be formed with opposed beads or undercut shoulders over which the channels I6 of the plate can be sprung.

In conformity with usual practice, the flask I1 is provided with a longitudinally extending calibrated scale 24, so that the volume of solution dispensedor remaining in the ask may be readily determined at any time.

Normally the hook I2 is coplanar with its plate l I and with the base I9 of the flask, and therefore the -flask may be made to rest on its base in stable equilibrium. When it is desired to dispense the Acontents of the ask, the hook I2 is bent outwardly through and suspended from any convenient support.

Although usually flasks for use in making intravenous injections are shipped to hospitals complete with permanently attached suspension means, it is possible with a quickly detachable suspension means as above described to apply this device at the hospital and thereby avoid the necessity of supplying each flask with individual suspension means. Not only will this device re sult in conserving metal, but due to its extreme simplicity it can be made by a relatively simple die stamping and cutting operation.

We claim:

1. A suspension member for flasks comprising: a base plate of ductile material; a hook formed from, as a continuation of, and normally coplanar with said plate but adapted to be bent at an angle thereto when lt is desired to suspend a ask thereby; and means for securing said plate to the base of a flask.

2. A suspension member for flasks comprising: a base plate of ductile material; a hook formed from, as a continuation of, and normally coplanar with said plate but adapted to be bentat an angle thereto when it is desired to suspend a flask thereby; and means for securing said -plate to the base of a ask, the foot of said hook being located at the center of said plate.

3. A suspension member for flasks comprising: a base plate of ductile material and provided with 'opposed lateral channels adapted to be sprung over a shoulder formed on the base of a ask;.

and a hook formed from, as a continuation of, and normally coplanar with said plate but adapted to be bent at an angle thereto when it is desired to suspend said flask vertically thereby.

4. In combination: a flask formed on its base with a central recess and with opposed lateral undercut shoulders; a. suspension plate of ductile material accommodated within said recess and provided with opposed lateral channels sprung with a central recess and with opposed lateral undercut shoulders; a suspension plate of ductile material accommodated within said recess and 10 provided with opposed lateral channels sprung over said shoulders; and a hook formed from, as a continuation of, and normally coplanar with said plate, the foot of said hook being located at the center of said plate and said hook being 15 adapted to be bent a1; an angle to said plate when it is desired to suspend the flask from the hook. EDWARD M. ARMSTRONG, JR. ROBERT K. CUTTER. 

